India 2018

486 India 2018
up of Solvent Production Plant (SPP) for industrial scale production of these
solvents with an objective to achieve self-reliance. HWB is also planning to
take up synthesis of some special solvents viz. DGA, Calixarene, also planning
to take up synthesis of some special solvents viz. DGA, Calixarene etc. based
on collaborative efforts with DAE units as requested by them.
Boron Enrichment
In consonance with the material input required for second stage of NPP based
on FBRs, HWB, with its decades of experience of handling isotope separation
process, took up development, demonstration and deployment of indigenous
technologies for production of enriched boron. HWB has now acquired
comprehensive capability in this area achieving enrichment levels beyond 95
per cent in multiple chemical forms. To support the second stage of NPP, HWB
has successfully delivered the entire quantity of enriched boron for the 1st core
of PFBR.
Sodium
Sodium is another important input for FBRs, used as coolant in the reactor.
Networking with the Indian R&D organizations, HWB has developed
indigenous and safer closed electrolytic cell technology for production of nuclear
grade sodium. Successively larger size cells are tested with the ultimate intent
of an industrial scale set up.
Mineral Exploration and Mining
Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) continued
the accelerated pace of exploration activities during the year by integrated,
multi-disciplinary methodology and judicious utilisation of manpower with a
focussed approach on augmentation of uranium, thorium and rare metals. This
resulted in the augmentation of additional uranium oxide (U 3
O 8
) reserve of
over 15,775 tonnes in the areas of Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya, Rajasthan and
Jharkhand.
Fuel Fabrication
Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) manufactures and supplies fuel bundles for
Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs)
of NPCIL. Highest ever production of PHWR fuel bundles, PHWR fuel tubes,
niobium metal and SS tubes & job orders was achieved during the period. NFC
launched 19 new projects during the XII Plan and 3 new projects during MTA.
R&D Support to Power Sector
The research and development support to the Nuclear Power Programme is
provided by the research centers of DAE. The fuel utilization in Indian
Pressurised Water Reactor equilibrium configuration was enhanced to get a
discharge burn-up of 45 GWd/T with a profiled fuel assembly of average 235 U
content of 4.22 per cent. Numerical models were developed and validated for